Regarding the DEPLOYMENT LINE

[Enjin]

Is it only the HOSTBOT that has to be below the DEPLOYMENT LINE or does the HOSTBOT/ MINIBOT combo be below the DEPLOYMENT LINE. In other words, can the base of the MINIBOT be at the DEPLOYMENT LINE or is the top of the MINIBOT that can be at the DEPLOYMENT LINE?

[EricH]

I'm not certain from a reading of the rules either. Guess that's one for the Q&A file.

[Randy Picolet]

<G22> HOSTBOTS may not contact their ALLIANCE’S MINIBOT once it has climbed above the DEPLOYMENT LINE. Violation: TOWER is disabled

I think this (combined with other defs/rules) is intended to mean you have to deploy completely (host and mini) below the deployment line, and then the minibot can start climbing but the host better not be pushing/following/touching the mini as it starts to cross the line. Maybe some clarification needed, but that seems like the idea we should all be going for...

[EricH]

I think this (combined with other defs/rules) is intended to mean you have to deploy completely (host and mini) below the deployment line, and then the minibot can start climbing but the host better not be pushing/following/touching the mini as it starts to cross the line. Maybe some clarification needed, but that seems like the idea we should all be going for...(emphasis mine)

That is the safest plan for sure. Start low, and if you're allowed a little height, you can take it--but only if you like living dangerously.

[Cyberphil]

My interpretation of this was that the mini-bot must not be above the deployment line until it is disconnected from the host-bot.

It says nothing about the host bot not being able to be above the deployment line. How would you do that anyway if you were trying to place tubes on the top level anyway (I am sure there is a way to do that, but it would be unnecessary)?

So in conclusion, the mini-bot must be completely below the deployment line when the host-bot is deploying it. The second the host-bot deploys it and is not touching it, it is allowed to travel above the deployment line.

Agreed?

[Basel A]

Agreed?

That's the way I read it as well.

[cyberjoek]

This is all IMO:

The rule that establishes this is rule G20:
<G20>ROBOTS/HOSTBOTS may not contact their own TOWERS above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.
Violation: PENALTY for contact. TOWER is disabled if MINIBOT is DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.

And just so we're clear:
DEPLOYMENT – the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER. DEPLOYMENT starts when the MINIBOT breaks the vertical projection of the TOWER BASE circumference during the END GAME. (Related form, DEPLOY, verb)

The definition of Deployment/Deploy/Deployed seems to indicate it is the whole action which would include the whole bot.

By my reading if any part of your Minibot is above the line during the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER you've just DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE. That means if you're above the line during the DEPLOYMENT you're the proud owner of an ex-tower.

[Cyberphil]

This is all IMO:

The rule that establishes this is rule G20:
<G20>ROBOTS/HOSTBOTS may not contact their own TOWERS above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.
Violation: PENALTY for contact. TOWER is disabled if MINIBOT is DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.

And just so we're clear:
DEPLOYMENT – the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER. DEPLOYMENT starts when the MINIBOT breaks the vertical projection of the TOWER BASE circumference during the END GAME. (Related form, DEPLOY, verb)

The definition of Deployment/Deploy/Deployed seems to indicate it is the whole action which would include the whole bot.

By my reading if any part of your Minibot is above the line during the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER you've just DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE. That means if you're above the line during the DEPLOYMENT you're the proud owner of an ex-tower.

Where does this indication you see? I see nowhere in any of these rules where it says the host-bot must also be below the deployment line. The only bot that it refers to on the deployment line is the mini-bot. I do not think the GDC would be so evil as to make you below the 30" mark also when deploying your mini-bot.

[Randy Picolet]

This is all IMO:

The rule that establishes this is rule G20:
<G20>ROBOTS/HOSTBOTS may not contact their own TOWERS above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.
Violation: PENALTY for contact. TOWER is disabled if MINIBOT is DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.

And just so we're clear:
DEPLOYMENT – the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER. DEPLOYMENT starts when the MINIBOT breaks the vertical projection of the TOWER BASE circumference during the END GAME. (Related form, DEPLOY, verb)

The definition of Deployment/Deploy/Deployed seems to indicate it is the whole action which would include the whole bot.

By my reading if any part of your Minibot is above the line during the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER you've just DEPLOYED above the DEPLOYMENT LINE. That means if you're above the line during the DEPLOYMENT you're the proud owner of an ex-tower.
ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT.

<G20> is saying while the host/mini are in contact with each other, neither may touch the tower above the deployment line. The violation clause says that in addition to the penalty, if the minibot is also postioned above the line then it is disqualified from the race.

[Grim Tuesday]

The question that we need the answer for is what defines positioning. If one flings the minibot from ground level, and it first touches the pole at 50 inches, above the line, is that counted as illegal deployment.

[KrazyCarl92]

I think the term DEPLOYMENT should be defined more clearly in the glossary section. It includes the statement "DEPLOYMENT starts when..." but I feel that it should also include "DEPLOYMENT ends when...". Is it when the Minibot touches the pole? When the Minibot reaches the deployment line? When the Minibot is no longer supported by or touching the Hostbot? This would help with clarity with a few of the rules, some very significant to the mounting or possible propulsion of Minibots.

[cyberjoek]

I've been on a flight which gave me a bunch more time to nerd out with the manual and here's what I've found:
1. ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT (as per the last sentence of the definition)
2. DEPLOYMENT – the act of positioning a MINIBOT on a TOWER.
3. MINIBOT - the autonomous vehicle designed as per 4.3.14*

Now, replacing some of the glossary words from their definitions
<G20>[HOSTBOT + MINIBOT]/HOSTBOTS may not contact their own TOWERS above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.

Violation: PENALTY for contact. TOWER is disabled if [the autonomous vehicle designed as per 4.3.14] is [positioned on a TOWER] above the DEPLOYMENT LINE.

Let's say you position your minibot with top 5" of it above the line and bottom 5" below. You are completing the act of deploying your MINIBOT both above and below the line. The act of positioning (DEPLOYMENT of) the MINIBOT has occurred above the line so you are the proud owner of an Ex-tower.

Looking forward to what the GCD has to say about this.
This rule needs lots of clarification because technically any minibot making the climb will get a PENALTY because it's touching the TOWER above the DEPLOYMENT LINE as it makes its climb and it's part of the ROBOT as defined within the first part of the rule.

*I'm assuming the 3.4 is a typo and we aren't getting a new major subsection inside The Game.